Ben Swails helps power Clear Creek Amana to strong start

TIFFIN — Great kid, great fit and a great start to the season.

First-year Clear Creek Amana Coach Matt Haddy used those words to describe quarterback Ben Swails, one of the Clippers the new skipper planned to lean on this season. So far, the expectations Haddy placed on the senior’s shoulders have been met.

Swails has embraced the opportunity, stepping in as the full-time signal caller and off-field leader to help the Clippers climb to ninth in the Class 4A rankings. Clear Creek Amana owned a 4-1 overall record before Thursday night’s meeting against host Cedar Rapids Washington at Kingston Stadium.

“He’s been really good for us, so far, this year,” Haddy said. “He’s obviously a big reason we’re having the success that we’ve had.”

Positions have come full circle for Swails. He took his first snaps as a backup QB his sophomore season, but switched to defense when Ryan Navarra claimed the starting spot last season. Swails thrived with a team-high six interceptions, receiving limited snaps at QB and completing 13 of 25 passes for 169 yards and three scores.

“I volunteered to play some defense last year and that worked out for me very well,” Swails said. “I knew this year, my senior year, was going to be my year to be the quarterback. I definitely looked forward to it and practiced all throughout the summer for it. Here I am now.”

Haddy informed Swails, Gage Freeman and Harrison Rosenberg that they were needed to take over leadership responsibilities. They did not hesitate.

Swails was battling an injury to his non-throwing hand when summer workouts started. Fortunately, he was still able to throw a little, but more importantly, Swails got to know Haddy’s standards.

“When Coach Haddy held the first football workout during the summer that’s when I really met him, knew what he was about and what he was going to bring to this program,” Swails said. “I was still able to throw the ball, luckily. I was just working on throwing and learning the offense.”

Swails has passed for 738 yards and eight touchdowns, connecting on 58 percent of 93 pass attempts. He has added 249 yards and four TDs on the ground. Both are second on the team to the 444 and seven from Freeman. The four-sport athlete’s dual-threat ability helps open up the Clippers’ offense.

“He’s a dynamic athlete,” Haddy said. “He definitely brings the component where he can beat teams with his arm and with his feet.

“The last two games — Oskaloosa and Iowa City Liberty — he’s had runs for touchdowns of over 45 yards. He is very capable of making those reads and also taking advantage of called quarterback runs as well, which is huge.”

Look no further than the 31-30 win over Liberty for Swails’ influence. He passed for 248 yards and three TDs with a team-high 81 yards and a 61-yard scoring run.

“We knew Liberty was a better team than their record shows,” Swails said. “We knew they were going to put up a tough fight and it was going to be a battle. That is exactly what it was.

“We knew we were capable of coming back, if we kept believing and doing what we were supposed to do. We got the job done.”

Haddy has been impressed with Swails’ improvement. He recognized Swails’ growth in decision making, ball protection and using his mobility to extend plays. His only two interceptions came against 3A No. 6 Independence.

“We’ve been very good about making the right decisions to allow us to move the chains, but taking the big-play opportunities when they’re there,” Haddy said.

“To move the pocket, keep plays alive, whether it’s take off and run the ball, a completed pass or throwing it away, allow us to live to another down. Those are two big things he really has improved on as the season has progressed.”

Discipline, restraint and selflessness are necessary traits. Sometimes it is frustrating to make the safe play and resist forcing a play that could result in a turnover. The philosophy isn’t natural to Swails, but weekly repetition has made it more effortless.

“It hasn’t been hard because we practice it so much,” Swails said. “It doesn’t come natural to me. I’m not perfect (or) the perfect quarterback. I’m going to make mistakes. I would say we’ve practiced it so much it has gotten a lot easier.”

In addition to that, Swails has demonstrated the capability to throw any ball needed. He can air it out, deliver it on the run or deliver quick slants and short accurate passes.

“He has that knack for making the throws he needs to make,” Haddy said. “His touch on deep balls are really, really good. He’s got a strong arm, that baseball strong arm behind him. He can make a lot of throws. There have not been a lot of throws that we found he can’t make.”

Swails and his teammates are satisfied with the start, especially with the tough 4A District 4 field. He remains grounded and will take a workmanlike approach to getting better each work.

“Don’t take any of this for granted,” Swails said. “Just keep playing our game. Don’t get cocky. Know that we can compete with anybody in 4A, as long as we play our game and don’t overthink anything. Just do what we’re supposed to do. I think we have a really good shot at going far this year.”